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Choose Cruise ExpertP&O International's roots trace back to 1837 making it the oldest passenger cruise line in the world. It now boasts 8 stunning ships that sail all over the world. Relax and unwind to a traditional cruising experience on the Aurora or Oriana. Britannia, Azura, Ventura, Oceana and Arcadia enthusiastically receive families of all ages entailing children's clubs, entertainment and age specific activities such for adventurers aged 2-17. On board P&O ships there is entertainment for everybody like West End performances, comedy shows, nightclubs and dance classes. Just like all the onboard meals, the entertainment is also included in the fare allowing you to enjoy without a worry about the costs.
Indulge in the cuisine of celebrity chefs like Marco Pierre or relax in the onboard spa. When it comes to venturing out P&O International has a wide variety of shore excursions allowing you to embrace an African safari or swim with dolphins. No matter which cruise you choose, P&O International promises an unforgettable getaway.
If you’re flying from Australia to join a P&O sailing, it’s worth thinking carefully about where you embark — Southampton, Valletta, Tenerife and Barbados all sit on the programme, and choosing the port that pairs best with your flights can save you a stop. On cabin grade, P&O prices inside cabins very aggressively on longer voyages; if you plan to spend most evenings in the bars and lounges, an inside cabin on a 14-night sailing often represents better value than upgrading and cutting nights. For round-the-world or very long itineraries, check whether Arcadia’s cabin layout or Azura’s cabin grades suit your preference — the ships differ meaningfully in how their cabin categories are arranged across the decks.
P&O Cruises is designed around the way British travellers actually want to holiday at sea: unhurried, familiar, and comfortable without being fussy. The tone on board is friendly rather than formal — you’ll find a pub with live sport and British ales alongside a sophisticated cocktail bar and a jazz lounge, often on the same ship. Dining ranges from relaxed all-day cafés to sit-down restaurants, and evenings fill out with cabaret, quizzes, live music and shows. This is a line that works just as well for a solo traveller settling into Crow’s Nest with a book as it does for a group of friends making a night of it at Havana’s salsa-fuelled dancefloor.
Every ship in the fleet carries the same core philosophy — a sense of being looked after in a way that feels natural rather than scripted. British pub culture travels well at sea: Brodie’s Bar & Lounge brings the largest selection of British and international beers, ciders and ales on board, with live sport, quizzes and karaoke woven through the sailing. For something quieter, Anderson’s Bar offers a relaxed spot to unwind over a drink with fellow travellers. Planet Bar takes things up a notch with floor-to-ceiling screens showing iconic sights from around the world while you sip continent-inspired cocktails — a fitting warm-up for wherever the ship is heading next.
If you prefer the energy of a nightclub, Havana delivers Cuban-style live music and salsa rhythms. For late-evening sophistication, the Crow’s Nest shifts from a peaceful daytime reading spot into an intimate piano lounge. Carmen’s show lounge runs cabaret, bingo, dance classes and disco across the day and night. The range means that however you like to spend an evening at sea, the ship will have somewhere that fits.
The backbone of the P&O Cruises programme is sailing from Southampton, which means no flight is needed for British-based passengers — but for Australian travellers, the cruise becomes the centrepiece of a longer trip. Itineraries fan out in every direction:
The line is a natural first cruise for anyone who wants a holiday that feels thoroughly British and completely manageable — no need to learn the rhythms of a new culture just to feel at home. It also suits experienced cruisers who value consistency: you know exactly what kind of evening you’re going to have, and the ships deliver it reliably. Couples, solo travellers and groups of friends all find their footing quickly. If you are drawn to long voyages, Aurora and Arcadia are adult-focused ships that carry a particularly loyal following on longer itineraries. Those who want the energy of a larger, more resort-style ship will find it on Iona, which brings the swim-up bar, the Emerald Bar in the Grand Atrium, and a wide range of venues across multiple decks.
Because every sailing departs from the United Kingdom, Spain, Malta or Barbados, Australians booking a P&O Cruises itinerary are planning a trip with a long-haul flight at each end. That is exactly where CruiseAway adds the most value: our DreamAway Packages bundle the cruise with your flights, hotels either side, and all transfers into a single booking — so nothing falls between the cracks. Our cruise experts know these ships and fares in detail, and they can help you match the right cabin grade and fare type to your travel style and budget. And whatever you book, our Best Price Guarantee means you are getting the sharpest price we can offer.
If you know your travel window, the full P&O Cruises 2026 programme is a good place to start. Departures are available from Southampton in 2027 too, with sailings from A$705pp*.